St Helena Penal Establishment – Moreton Bay and More

The last of the Snob.

Part 4 – Forgery, a murder charge and Dunwich. The enduring allure of Springsure. Wikipedia helpfully informs its readers that Springsure is a town of around 950 people in the Central Highlands of Queensland. It boasts cattle farms, and plantations of sunflowers, sorghum, wheat, and chickpeas. It is close to a couple of coal mines,Continue reading “The last of the Snob.”

The Snob. Part 3.

More hard time. Edward Hartigan was released from Brisbane Gaol in January 1875. According to his account, he had been quietly at war with Samuel S Priday, the Principal Turnkey, Storekeeper and Clerk at the Gaol, for some months. He had been asked to keep tabs on other prisoners in return for special treatment. HartiganContinue reading “The Snob. Part 3.”

The Snob – Part 2.

St Helena Island Hartigan arrived at Brisbane Gaol on 13 December 1867. The Brisbane Gaol authorities recorded him as 5 feet 5 ½ inches in height, of slender build, with a ruddy complexion, sandy hair and blue eyes. He could read and write, was unmarried, had no children and belonged to the Church of England.Continue reading “The Snob – Part 2.”

The Snob.

Part 1 – Edward Hartigan’s Early Years. In the years between Separation (1859) and Federation (1901), Queensland had its share of storied criminals. Some terrorised the roads for a few years but were captured and imprisoned– the Wild Scotchman was probably the most celebrated. There were infamous murderers who went to gaol or the gallowsContinue reading “The Snob.”

The Career of Tom the Devil.

There were quite a few gentlemen who rejoiced in the sobriquet “Tom the Devil” in the 19th century. Tom the Devil seemed to be like the Flying Pieman or Dread Pirate Roberts – once someone was finished with the appellation, another individual would take over in the role. The Original Devil. The original Tom theContinue reading “The Career of Tom the Devil.”

And who might you be, Sir?

The colonies in the 19th century provided a delightful playground for any number of bounders, rogues, rascals, and cads. All one really needed was an English accent and an air of authority, and the far-flung, gullible colonials would open their pocketbooks and parlours. An Englishman who liked to pose as an aristocrat married a goodContinue reading “And who might you be, Sir?”

The Odd Man About The Shed

John Hayes was an Irish labourer who had arrived in Queensland in 1873 on the Landsborough. There might well be a fortune to be made by a man who would work hard. Perhaps after a few years he could own some land, have a family. Perhaps he could send some money home to Ireland. ItContinue reading “The Odd Man About The Shed”